JP2013530720A - Plant cultivation system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating plants, which includes a columnar structure (100) of pots (102) that are stacked one after another to define a housing for storing plants. Each pot (102) defines a cavity (104) that holds a plant. Separation means are provided for separating the pots of the columnar structure, and the separation means defines an upper space around the top of at least two of the pots, and the plants protrude from the cavity into it. The cavity has a passageway (106) that provides a continuous flow path for the air through the columnar structure (100) so that the air need not flow into the cavity (104). This flow path includes at least two upper headspaces of the pot (102).
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant cultivation system and method. The present invention is not limited to these, but is applicable to plant cultivation systems and methods that can accurately adjust the airflow and temperature.

  It is known to provide a means for heating or cooling the air around a plant in order to grow the plant in an environment with a temperature that is unsuitable for that particular type of cultivated plant. For example, this can be achieved by a method of properly arranging the heaters or a method of shielding the plant from direct sunlight, as is done, for example, by using a vinyl tunnel. A problem with known heating devices is that a large amount of energy is required to heat the temperature around the plant.

  In addition, plant cultivation using a columnar cultivation container is also known. Examples thereof include US Pat. No. 6840008B1, US Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0089037A1, US Pat. No. 5,555,676, US Patent Application. It is described in the specification of the publication 2006/0156624. Water and nutrients can be supplied to the columnar structure for plant cultivation. However, a method for controlling the temperature and airflow around the plant is not disclosed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a columnar structure that stacks pots one after another and defines a housing for storing plants, each column defining a cavity for holding a plant, and Separating means for separating the pots of the columnar structure, wherein the separation defines an enclosed upper space around the top of each of at least two of the pots for the plants to protrude up from the cavity Means and a passage providing a continuous flow path of air through the columnar structure so that the air does not have to flow into the cavity, the flow path passing through the upper space above the at least two pots And a passageway that can flow around the leaves and / or stems of the plant in the headspace surrounded by air.

  Such an apparatus can assist in plant growth by introducing air, particularly heated or cooled air, into the columnar structure and allowing it to flow around the plant without substantial obstruction. On the other hand, the housing can be advantageous because it limits the loss of heated or cooled air into its external environment while flowing through the columnar structure. In this way, the environment for the plant can be controlled in an energy efficient manner. In addition, the flow of air around leaves, stems or stems, roots, bulbs or leaf-planted propagation plugs, media surfaces and / or device surfaces can help to prevent the growth of mold, algae and bacteria. It is thought that it might help.

  The cavity may be configured to hold a medium in which the plant will grow, such as soil / compost, rock wool or biochar.

  The columnar structure may have an intake port for receiving air, or may have an exhaust port for discharging air from the columnar structure. The columnar structure can be connected to a heat exchanger for cooling / heating air by the intake port and the exhaust port. The exhaust port may be arranged at a higher position than the intake port, and in particular, the intake port may be arranged below the lower part of the columnar structure when used, for example, below the bottom pot, and the exhaust port is used. You may arrange | position above the upper part of the columnar structure at the time, for example, the uppermost pot. Such a configuration is suitable for heated air, and warm air rises to the top of the columnar structure. When introducing the cooling air into the columnar structure, the positions of the intake port and the exhaust port may be reversed.

  In one embodiment, inside each pot is a duct that forms a passage through the columnar structure. The duct may extend from the bottom of the pot to a position above the expected top of the medium. For example, the pot surface may be marked to indicate the expected height of the medium, and the duct may extend to or above that height. Alternatively, the duct may extend to the same height as the edge of the cavity. In this way, even if the medium is filled up to the top of the cavity, the duct is not blocked. Thus, for cultivated plants, a fresh, aerated environment is provided within the enclosed and controlled, very close area. Such an aerated and controlled environment is provided for the surface of the culture medium and / or the inner surface of the body and the housing (eg, in the embodiment where the separation means is provided, the surface of the separation means). Is particularly advantageous.

  The duct may be surrounded by a cavity, for example located in the center of the pot, and the duct is separated from the cavity by an inner wall. The pot may have a circular cross section, and the duct may be separated from the cavity by a radially inner wall. Alternatively, the duct may be defined by a groove on the side of the pot, for example at the edge of the pot.

  Preferably, the separating means is transparent or translucent. Separation means may provide space for plants to grow between the pots and thereby allow sunlight to enter the columnar structure. The separating means may be integral with one of the pots or may be separate from the pot.

In one embodiment, at least one of the separating means, or each separating means, has a hole from which plants can grow out of the columnar structure. Such holes are large enough for plants to grow from the columnar structure, but should be small enough to limit excessive energy loss from the columnar structure. The hole may be a side open hole located at the bottom of the separating means, adjacent to the pot below it. The pot under the perforated separating means may have a curved edge. In this way, a plant that has grown out of the hole will not be damaged or cut due to the plant's weight dropping the plant against the edge of the pot. In addition, the curved edges may help the plant extend in the proper direction. Heating / cooling of soil or other media is considered to be a very influential factor affecting plant growth, with less impact when heating leaves. Therefore, it is acceptable for the branches and leaves to hang out of the housing and be exposed to cooler / hot air outside the housing. In practice, the branches and leaves grow out of the housing, which effectively closes or closes the holes, thereby losing moisture and transferring heat between the inside and outside of the housing. It may be encouraged that the (loss or gain) be further limited. This does not promote moisture / heat loss / gain and is kept “closed” during the plant growth and throughout the growth cycle (from germination to growth through growth) A controlled and efficient cultivation system that does not require replanting is provided. By providing a hole of a size suitable for the type of cultivated plant, energy loss is minimized. The holes may be sized such that the plant buds or stems fit into it while the plant branches and leaves can grow out of the housing. The hole may be smaller than the separating means. For example, the holes may be area at 0.5cm ² ~36cm ^2, substantially semi-circular, may be square or circular or arched or other suitable shape. For other applications (eg, larger crop or vine plant applications) it may be much larger or smaller.

  The columnar structure including the pot may be configured such that moisture evaporated from a plant and / or medium in one of the pots is condensed on the surface of one of the pots above it. The bottom surface of the pot may have such a shape that moisture condensed therein is discharged from the passage in the columnar structure. For example, in an embodiment having a central duct in each pot, the bottom surface may be inclined downwardly radially outward from the center of the pot, for example, in a curved shape. In this way, the moisture in the housing is recovered into the pot without being lost to the external environment by evaporation. Further, the shape of the lower surface of the pot limits the loss of moisture through the passage / duct in the pot to the bottom of the columnar structure.

  The columnar structure may be configured such that the pot can be rotated around the central axis of the columnar structure. Thus, by rotating the pot, the plant can be easily approached as desired, and light can be evenly dispersed in the plant. For example, when the intensity of light is not uniform in the housing, the pot can be rotated to place a plant that has been in a condition with a low light quantity until then, under a condition with a high light quantity. The pot may be rotated automatically.

  In some embodiments, medium (such as soil) may not be placed in the cavity in the conventional sense.

  In such an embodiment and other embodiments in which the medium is placed, the plant is hollowed in another medium, eg, a propagation plug such as a peat plug (or other well-known appropriate equivalent). You may put in. In such embodiments, the cultivated plant may plant its base (eg, its bulbs, roots or stems) in another medium, such as a peat plug.

  In use, the peat plug can be placed on the surface of a medium (such as soil) in the cavity, or can be inserted, planted, or embedded in the medium (such as soil) in the cavity.

  Since the peat plug (or another medium) communicates with the upper space, the ventilation of the upper space also ventilates the peat plug and the surrounding environment. As a result, the growth of mold, algae and bacteria around the peat plug and the cultivated plant is suppressed, and the growth of the plant is promoted.

  In some embodiments, the plant grows out of the hole 134. For example, plant stems and leaves may grow out of the cavity through the hole 134, while the peat plug roots in the enclosed upper space and / or cavity. Branches and leaves may actually grow outside the housing, but it is advantageous for cultivated plants that the plug is in a controlled housing that is ventilated and moist. In addition, the plug can be beneficial because it closes the hole, further reducing moisture / heat loss / gain from the already relatively low housing. When air flows around the stem, if the stem is in another medium (such as a growth plug), the air may flow around another medium (eg, plug) as described above. In addition, since similar benefits can be obtained, in the scope of the present invention, air shall also refer to the flow around the peat plug containing the stem.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are pots and separating means, each pot holding a plant and optionally a medium in which the plant grows, for example soil, rock wool or biochar. A pot having a cavity and a separating means, and a duct disposed therein, wherein the duct allows air to flow through the duct without flowing through the cavity; A plurality of such modules can be stacked together to form a columnar structure, and the separating means separates the pots of the columnar structure, and at least two of the pots Surrounding each top is an enclosed upper space for the plants to protrude from the cavity, and the ducts in the pot form a continuous flow path through the columnar structure, which is less Both include upper headspace of the two pots, thus can flow around the leaves and / or stems of plants in headspace air is enclosed.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for assembling into the device according to the first aspect of the invention.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for cultivating a plant, comprising planting a plant in a pot, wherein each pot defines a cavity for holding the plant; A step of stacking pots one after another to form a columnar structure, wherein the separating means separates the pots in the columnar structure, and the plant is removed from the cavity around the top of each of at least two of the pots. Defining an enclosed upper space for protruding, the columnar structure includes an inlet and an outlet, and air introduced into the inlet passes through a passage that provides a continuous flow path through the columnar structure. The leaves of the plant in the upper space surrounded by air, wherein the flow path includes an upper space above the at least two pots, the flow path comprising the upper space above the two pots. And / or flow around the stem Comprising the steps as has been way, the steps of introducing air into the air inlet, the.

  Of course, the term “planting plants” includes planting seeds, bulbs and the like.

  In one embodiment, the air introduced into the inlet is heated or cooled air. The above method may include the step of feeding into the pot the medium in which the plant will grow, and the continuous path for air exhausts from the inlet without passing through the medium. You may be comprised so that it can flow to a mouth.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant cultivation system, which comprises an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a supply conduit for supplying air into the housing, and recovering air from the apparatus. A return conduit for heating and a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the air, wherein the supply conduit is configured to supply air from the heat exchanger to the inlet, the return conduit being configured to supply air Configured to return to the heat exchanger. The intake port may be vertically spaced from the exhaust port.

  This system provides a flow of air around the plant that can promote the growth of the plant. The air flow around the leaves, stems, media surface and / or housing surface can help to control the growth of mold, algae and bacteria and assist in plant growth.

  The above system can provide a method for heating or cooling plants efficiently compared to heating a large amount of air in a housing by heating or cooling means. In particular, in the apparatus, an upper space may be provided above the pot, which is comparable to the size of the cultivated plant. In one embodiment, the width of the housing may be 1 m or less, preferably 400 mm or less, and most preferably about 150 mm. The upper space above each pot may be less than 1 m, preferably less than 500 mm, most preferably less than 200 mm. Heating air in such a small space is much more efficient than heating plants in a large greenhouse.

  The system described above may include multiple devices, and the sum of the length of the supply conduit from the heat exchanger to the device and the length of the return conduit from the device to the heat exchanger is substantially the same for any device. The same. In this way, the temperature difference between the start point of the supply conduit and the end point of the return conduit is substantially the same, which ensures that the airflow in each housing is uniform.

  The system may further include a source of nutrients and / or moisture and a supply means for circulating the nutrients and / or moisture through the housing. The circulation means includes a nutrient and water supply conduit for supplying water and / or nutrients from the nutrient source to the device, and recovers the water and / or nutrients from the device and directs the water and / or nutrient to the source. A return conduit for returning may be included. The supply and / or return conduit may include a filter for filtering the water and / or nutrients when it is supplied to the device or before it is returned to the source. In this way, all unused water and / or nutrients can be recycled and used later.

  It will be appreciated that the terms “heated air” or “cooling air” are used herein to mean heated or cooled air, respectively, with respect to the temperature of the air in the external environment of the enclosure. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus, and the portion hidden in FIG. 1 is indicated by a shadow line. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plant pot used in the apparatus of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plant pot shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the plant pot shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the separating means used in the apparatus of FIGS. FIG. 8 is a side view of the separating means shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view of the separating means shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as seen from an angle different from that of FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3 and shows a kit of parts that are assembled to form the device. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an air circulation device of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the system water and nutrient circulation system.

  1-3, the plant cultivation apparatus includes a columnar structure 100 that stacks plant pots 102 one after another and defines a housing for storing plants. In this embodiment, each plant pot 102 is the same. However, it will be appreciated that non-identical pots may be used in other embodiments. Each pot 102 defines a cavity 104 (shown in FIGS. 4-6) for holding a medium in which plants grow, such as soil, rock wool, compost or biochar.

  The columnar structure 100 has a passage (indicated by arrow 106) that provides a continuous flow path of air through the columnar structure 100. This flow path includes a space 108 around the top of the pot 102 and the plants protrude from the medium into it. Air does not have to flow through the media in the cavity 104 to flow along this passage. In this embodiment, air can flow through the passage without flowing through the cavity.

  The columnar structure 100 has an intake port 110 for receiving heated air and an exhaust port 112 for discharging air from the columnar structure 100 in this embodiment. The exhaust port 112 is disposed above the intake port 110. In this embodiment, the intake port 110 is disposed below the lowermost pot 102a, and the exhaust port 112 is disposed above the uppermost pot 102b. The In this way, the heated air introduced from the intake port 110 can rise to the top of the columnar structure 100 while heating the plant on the way through the passage 106, and from there, from the exhaust port 112. Discharged.

  The columnar structure 100 further includes a nutrient feed inlet 116, in this case a spray head, connected to a nutrient feed source for introducing water and nutrients into the columnar structure 100. Water and nutrients penetrate into the pot 102 and provide nutrients to the plant. Any excess water and / or nutrients that have reached the bottom of the columnar structure 100 are discharged from the columnar structure 100 through the drainpipe 118.

  4-6, each plant pot 102 has a duct 114 therein to form a passage 106 through the columnar structure 100. FIG. The duct 114 is surrounded by the cavity 104 and a tapered inner wall 124 separates the duct 114 from the cavity 104. In this embodiment, the duct 114 is centrally located and extends from the bottom 120 of the pot 102 to the same height as the edge 122 that curves down the cavity 104. The pot height is about 100 mm, its diameter is about 150 mm, and the edge width is between 20 mm and 25 mm. The diameter of the duct is about 40 mm at the bottom and about 20 mm at the top. Due to the tapered shape of the duct 114, the water and nutrients entering the duct 114 tend to flow away from the opening of the duct 114 in the pot 102 below. In this way, the duct 114 serves to prevent water and nutrients from flowing through the duct 114 straight to the bottom of the columnar structure.

  There is a hole 126 in the bottom of the cavity 104, and water and nutrients can easily penetrate through the columnar structure 100.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 7 to 9, the columnar structure 100 may further include a transparent or translucent separating means 130 for separating the pot 102 of the columnar structure 100. In this embodiment, the separating means 130 is installed between every two pots 102. The separating means 130 between the pots is the same (this type of separating means is shown in FIGS. 7-9). However, the separating means 130a and 130b are different from the other separating means 130. Separating means 130 a has appropriate openings for receiving intake pipe 111 and drain pipe 118. Separation means 130 b has a cover 132 for closing the uppermost part of separation means 130 b and holding exhaust pipe 113.

  The separating means 130 provides an upper space between the pots 102 so that plants can grow and sunlight can enter the columnar structure 100. In this embodiment, the height of each separating means is about 200 mm and the diameter is about 150 mm. The height of the upper space for the plant to grow is therefore about 150 mm. The columnar structure 100 having an upper space of this size may be suitable for cultivation of plants such as leaf vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, peas, beans, herbs, chili peppers, and peppers. The size of the required upper space may vary depending on the size and shape of the cultivated plant, for example, the size of branches and leaves, the size of the fruit, the vine or the way of thickening. Ideally, there is enough space for the branches and leaves to grow without restriction. On the other hand, ideally, the space should not be unnecessarily large, as this is unnecessarily large to maintain the desired temperature (eg to prevent heat loss or heat gain). This is because more energy is required. It has been found that a separation means with a height of 200 mm is suitable for a wide variety of plants. Depending on the application, smaller or larger separation means may be installed, for example, for larger plants, seedlings, very large crop seeds, the height of the separation means may be about 1 m. . The location of the system and the available sunlight also affect the size of the headspace. The less light available, the larger the head space may be required. In other embodiments, the separating means may be about 250 mm or other suitable height.

  In this embodiment, each separating means 130 is a hollow cylinder of transparent or translucent material, and when assembled into a columnar structure 100, a continuous upper edge that engages the lower surface of the edge 122 of the pot 102. Have. The bottom of the separating means has a hole. In this embodiment, the holes are open sided holes 134 spaced circumferentially. Therefore, when the separating means is assembled into a columnar structure, a series of gaps are formed between the pot 102 and the separating means 130, from which plants can grow out of the columnar structure 100. In this embodiment, six arched holes 134 are provided, each hole 134 having a height to the apex of about 30 mm and a width of about 30 mm. Thus, the proportion of the area surrounding the upper space that is closed by the separating means 130 (ie not open to the outside environment from the hole 134) may be greater than 90%, in this embodiment greater than 93%. May be. In some embodiments, it may be greater than 95%. In this way, the energy loss due to the leakage of heated air to the external environment is kept sufficiently low.

  The curved edge 122 of the pot 102 helps to prevent damage to the portion of the plant that protrudes from the hole 134.

  When each pot 102 is assembled into a columnar structure 100, it can be rotated around its center and the user can access the plant as desired.

  When each pot 102 is assembled into a columnar structure 100, it can be rotated around its center and the user can access the plant as desired.

  FIG. 10 shows the different parts assembled into the columnar structure 100 (dashed lines indicate that not all of the pots and separation means are shown). Of course, these parts can be provided as part kits for assembly in the field. Further, it will be appreciated that the pot / separator pair 140 may be supplied as a separate module from the rest of the kit and added to the existing columnar structure 100 or replaced with an existing columnar module. You may be made to do.

  11 and 12, the apparatus of FIGS. 1-10 can be incorporated into a system as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for supplying heated air, water and nutrients to plants. The system includes a plurality of housings 202 containing plants and two recirculation devices, generally arranged in several rows, one device 200 for maintaining the plants at the required temperature. Air is circulated in the housing 202, and another device 204 circulates water and nutrients in the housing 202. Each housing 202 includes a device as shown in FIGS.

  The apparatus 200 for recirculating air includes a heat exchanger 206 for heating the air passing therethrough and a supply conduit 208 (solid line) for supplying the heated air from the heat exchanger 206 to an inlet at the bottom of the apparatus 202. And a return conduit 210 (shown in broken lines) for recovering air from the exhaust at the top of the housing to the heat exchanger 206. In this embodiment, the supply conduit 208 is divided into separate lines 208a, 208b, 208c for each row of devices 202, and the return conduit is a separate wire 210a, for receiving air from each row of devices 202. 210b and 210c. In use, the plant in the device 202 is maintained at the required temperature by heating the air with a heat exchanger 206 and then passing the heated air through the housing. Warm or hot air rises to the top of the device by convection and provides a passage for the device to guide the rising air to the plants therein. The air that has passed through the apparatus 202 is recovered by the return line 210 to the heat exchanger 206, reheated, and reused.

  The heating of the air by the heat exchanger 206 may be thermostat controlled so as to keep the plant at a constant temperature. The air flow in the system may be caused by a temperature difference across the heat exchanger 206. Alternatively, a pump or fan may be installed to circulate the heated air.

  The columnar structure 100 is stabilized by attaching the columnar structure 100 of the apparatus 202 to the pipes of the conduits 210a, 210b, and 210c.

  The apparatus 204 for recirculating water and nutrients includes a nutrient water supply source 216, such as a tank, and a supply conduit 218 for supplying water and nutrients from the source 216 to the top water inlet of the apparatus 202. (Shown in solid lines) and a return conduit 220 (shown in broken lines) for recovering water and nutrients from the drain at the bottom of device 202. The recovered water and nutrients may be filtered before being returned to the nutrient water tank 216. In this embodiment, the supply conduit 218 is divided into separate lines 218a, 218b, 218c for each row of the device 202, and the return conduit is a separate wire 220a for receiving water and nutrients from each row of the device 202. , 220b, 220c.

  In this embodiment, for both the air recirculation device 200 and the nutrient water recirculation device 204, the length of the supply conduits 208, 218 from the heat exchanger 206 / humidity tank 216 to the device 202 and the heat exchanger from the device 202 to the heat exchanger. The sum of the lengths of the return conduits 210, 220 to the 206 / moisture tank 216 is substantially the same for any device 202. For example, if the supply conduits 208, 218 from the heat exchanger 206 / tank 216 are short devices 202, the return conduits 210, 220 to the heat exchanger 206 or tank 216 are long.

  The system according to the above-described embodiments can introduce heated air into each columnar structure 100 to flow substantially undisturbed around the plant and support plant growth while the device is heated. This can be advantageous because it limits the loss to the external environment when air flows through the columnar structure. Furthermore, since the volume of the enclosed space defined by the columnar structure 100 is small, the amount of air that needs to be heated is reduced. In this way, the environment for the plant can be controlled in an energy efficient manner. In addition, air flows around the surface of the leaves, stems, medium and / or propagation plugs (peet or similar medium) surrounding the plant stems, roots, bulbs or shoots and / or around the surface of the device. Is thought to potentially help to control the growth of mold, algae and bacteria.

  Naturally, modifications and alterations can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the invention defined in this application. For example, the duct in the pot may be installed in another area of the pot, for example, an open path on the side of the pot. The height of each separating means may differ depending on the cultivated plant. By using an appropriately sized separation means, space for plant cultivation is efficiently utilized.

  The bottom surface of each pot 102 may have a shape such that the moisture on the surface flows to a position away from the passage 106 of the columnar structure 100. For example, the lower surface of each pot may be inclined downward in the radial direction from the center of the pot 102. In this way, the water condensed on the bottom of the pot 102 and the water permeating through the hole 126 of the pot 102 are discharged from the center of the columnar structure 100 and pass straight through the passage 106 to the bottom of the columnar structure 100. The amount of flowing water is limited.

  The plants in each pot may be sprayed directly with water and nutrients rather than being supplied by infiltrating water and nutrients from the upper pot. For example, a sprayer for each pot may be connected to a nourishing moisture tube passing through an air duct in the pot.

  In systems that include multiple devices, the temperature of the air delivered to the different devices 202 can be controlled separately. In this way, different types of plants with different temperature requirements can be cultivated in this system. Furthermore, water and nutrients may be supplied from separate tanks. The system may be configured to supply water to device 202 without nutrients and to mix with nutrients to provide nutrient solution. The system may be configured to supply different nutrient solutions to different devices, thereby allowing different types of crops that require different nutrient solutions to be cultivated in one system.

  One or more separation means may be used between each plant pot to increase the headspace. In order to realize this, an attachment element that is not a plant pot may be provided, and the continuously stacked separation means may be joined together.

  The pot or pots may be shaped such that part of the pot cavity, so-called ears, protrudes outside the periphery of the separating means. This may be an alternative method of providing a hole in the separating means. In such a configuration, the plant can grow out of the ear. The pot may have a plurality of ears spaced circumferentially around the pot.

  The present invention provides a housing that is sized to ensure that the plant has sufficient space for its growth, but is not too large and therefore prevents energy waste. Since the enclosure is substantially insulated from the environment, unintended heat loss or heat gain and moisture loss are minimized. An air flow path is provided that does not need to pass through the pot cavity, which normally contains the media. In this way, according to the present invention, air reliably flows around the inner surface of the casing and the upper surface of the culture medium, while the environment in which the temperature and moisture are controlled is efficiently maintained. Usually, this air flow is realized by exposing the surface of the medium to the external environment, in which case a large amount of heat and moisture are released into the environment. Alternatively, this may typically be achieved with a large greenhouse-type device, in which case a lot of energy is expended to control the environment to achieve a suitable air flow path. In contrast, the present invention provides both an efficient and controlled environment and an air flow path. The controlled and ventilated housing is the minimum size required. If necessary, cultivated plants can grow outside of the enclosure, while at the same time there is a mechanism to ensure that the plant's propagation plugs or roots and stems are kept in a controlled environment. Provided.

  The present invention provides an aerated and controlled environment for the portion of the medium from which plant roots are implanted and from which the stems, leaves and branches of the plant extend. This portion needs to be ventilated, but in the prior art, this can only be accomplished by exposing the surface of the medium where the plant leaves and leaves grow to the outside environment. As a result, excessive heat and moisture transfer occurs between this part of the medium and the uncontrolled external environment. In the present invention, this portion of the culture medium is in the housing and therefore is not exposed to the external environment as well.

  In the above-described embodiment, such a vertical cultivation system having lateral holes makes it possible to grow plants that have been cultivated horizontally in the vertical direction with high space efficiency. This is advantageous over other systems where a laterally extending pot is installed to extend from the central region and where the pot contains exposed soil (or other medium) from which plants grow. . Space can be saved and (excessive) heat or temperature transfer from the medium can be prevented.

  In some embodiments, the cylindrical separation means 130 is formed from two (hollow semi-cylindrical) parts. These parts may be made of a flexible plastic material and may be interconnected by wedge engagement to form a suitable separating means (ie, form a housing).

  In some embodiments, at the time of use, the cultivated plants are in the form of buds or bulbs, or are planted in peat plugs. Place the buds, roots, bulbs or plugs in the cavity (eg on the surface of the medium (soil etc.)), then place the separation means in the position of the holes in the separation means with the buds, roots, bulbs or plugs Connect to the pot to promote the plant to grow out of the cavity from the hole.

  Another optional feature of some embodiments of the hole is that a hole seal is provided. The hole seal includes hole closure means for minimizing heat and moisture transfer between the housing and the external environment. The hole seal may be in the form of a rubber or paper member, placed or secured in the hole to close the hole, while allowing the plant buds to pass through flexibly, for example, through a slit in the rubber or paper material.

  In this way, the bud is initially positioned to pass through the hole seal and can change its position within the hole as it grows, while the other part of the hole is effectively closed. ing.

Claims (24)

In plant cultivation equipment,
A columnar structure that stacks pots one after another and defines a housing for storing plants, each column defining a cavity that holds a plant, and the pots of the columnar structures are separated from each other Separating means for defining an enclosed upper space around the top of each of at least two of the pots for plants to protrude up from the cavity; and A passage providing a continuous flow path of air through the columnar structure so that it does not need to flow in, the flow path including the upper space above the at least two pots And an apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
An apparatus wherein the cavity is configured to hold a medium in which the plant grows. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The columnar structure has an inlet for receiving air and an exhaust for discharging air from the columnar structure. The apparatus of claim 3.
An apparatus characterized in that the received air is heated or cooled air. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
In use, the exhaust port is disposed above the intake port. The apparatus of claim 5.
The apparatus, wherein the intake port is disposed below a lowermost pot in use, and the exhaust port is disposed above an uppermost pot in use. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An apparatus wherein each pot has a duct therein and forms the passage through the columnar structure. The device of claim 7 when dependent on claim 2,
The apparatus, wherein the duct extends from the bottom of the pot to a position above the top of the planned medium. The device according to claim 7 or 8,
A device wherein the duct extends at least as high as the edge of the cavity. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
An apparatus characterized in that the duct is surrounded by the cavity and the duct is separated from the cavity by an inner wall. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The apparatus characterized in that the separating means is separate from the pot. 12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An apparatus characterized in that the separating means is transparent or translucent. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
At least one or each separating means has a hole in it, from which a plant can grow out of the columnar structure,
An apparatus wherein, optionally, the holes comprise less than 10% of the area of the separating means, optionally less than 7%, and optionally less than 5%. The apparatus of claim 13.
A device characterized in that the pot immediately below the or each separating means including a hole has a curved edge. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The columnar structure of the pot is configured such that moisture evaporating from the plants in one of the pots and / or the medium is condensed on one surface of the pot thereon, and the lower surface of each pot is The apparatus is characterized in that the moisture condensed on the surface flows into a position away from the passage in the columnar structure. The device of claim 15 when dependent on claim 6,
An apparatus characterized in that each pot has a central duct therein, and the lower surface of the pot is inclined radially outward from the center of the pot. In a module including a pot and separation means,
Each pot has a cavity for holding plants and a duct therein, the duct configured to allow air to flow through the duct without flowing through the cavity;
A plurality of such modules can be stacked together to form a columnar structure, wherein the separating means separates the pots of the columnar structure, and the top of each of at least two of the pots , Defining an enclosed upper space for plants to protrude from the cavity, wherein the duct in the pot forms a continuous flow path through the columnar structure, the flow path being An apparatus comprising the upper space above at least two pots.   A kit of parts to be assembled into an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. In the cultivation method of plants,
Planting plants in pots, each pot defining a cavity for holding the plant;
The step of stacking the pots one after another to form a columnar structure, wherein the separating means separates the pots of the columnar structure, and plants are placed around the top of each of at least two of the pots. A closed upper space for projecting from the cavity is defined, the columnar structure includes an intake port and an exhaust port, and air introduced into the intake port passes through the columnar structure. Such that the air does not need to flow into the cavity and the flow path includes the upper space above the at least two pots. Steps,
Introducing air into the inlet;
A method comprising the steps of: In a system for supplying heating or cooling air to plants,
A device according to any one of claims 4 to 16 as claimed in claim 3 or dependent on claim 3.
A supply conduit for supplying air to the inlet, a return conduit for recovering air from the device, and a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the air, wherein the supply conduit A system configured to supply from the heat exchanger to the inlet and wherein the return conduit is configured to return air from the device to the heat exchanger. The system of claim 20, wherein
The system includes a plurality of the devices, and the sum of the length of the supply conduit from the heat exchanger to the device and the length of the return conduit from the device to the heat exchanger is substantially the same for any device. A system characterized by being the same. The system according to claim 20 or 21,
The system further comprising: a nutrient supply source; and means for circulating nutrients and / or water within the apparatus. The system of claim 22, wherein
The circulation means collects moisture and / or nutrients from the nutrient water supply source for supplying water and / or nutrients to the device from the nutrient supply source, and recovers the water and / or nutrients from the device; A system comprising a return conduit for returning to a source. 24. The system of claim 23.
The system wherein the return conduit includes a filter for filtering the water and / or nutrients before it is returned to the source.

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